Those of us visiting East Devon in the near future could be in for a nasty surprise.

Fines are being introduced to punish those caught feeding seagulls in the area.

The powers are being used in a bid to stop the birds attacking people for food.

People who feed the birds could now be hit with an £80 fine as part of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) issued by East Devon District Council.

So if you plan on visiting popular seaside locations such as Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Seaton you might want to watch where you throw you chips.

Seagulls are known for stealing food (Image: Getty)

Speaking to Devon Live, East Devon district councillor Iain Chubb, said: “You like to see the birds, it's a nice part of the landscape, but you just don't want them to be aggressive."

The fines will be aimed at addressing habitual feeders and cafes and restaurants which do not dispose of waste food properly, he said.

“It's more a fine for where there is, say a catering establishment with bad practice of disposing of food, or there are little old ladies who like to go down and feed the seagulls," said the councillor.

“It's one of those things where, if you've got somebody who is habitually feeding seagulls, it's something to say you shouldn't be doing this, there is a fine at the end of the day."

Mr Chubb described the new measure as a "final backstop" which tackles the issue where anti-litter legislation could not.

He added: "There aren't going to be the police out looking for people throwing chips at birds, that's for sure.”

The order states: "A person shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, he provides or deposits food for consumption by seagulls on the promenades, beaches and/or foreshore within the administrative area of East Devon District Council unless he has reasonable excuse for doing so."

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The news comes soon after the issue of threatening seagulls at seaside areas was raised by ex-Prime Minister David Cameron. He said a "big conversation" was needed about the threat from the birds.

The pesky critters don’t just terrorise those enjoying a seaside break.

In July of last year a Yeovil family found itself under aerial bombardment from a flock of gulls that had set up nest behind a chimney pipe in the Monks Dale area of the town.

One resident of the area said at the time: “They make a mess on the windows and washing and make such a noise at night.

“Most of these gulls have never seen the sea, it's about time they had a nice long holiday. The town has got such a problem with them."